math help

What is 4/6 + 3/12?

What is 4/6 + 3/12?

Here's how we add

4
6
+
3
12

Step 1

Our denominators (bottom numbers) don't match, so we can't add yet.

12 goes into 6 evenly, so we only need to multiply one term to get a common denominator.

Multiply 4 by 2, and get 8, then we multiply 6 by 2 and get 12.

4/6 times 2

This gives us a new problem that looks like so:

8
12
+
3
12

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can add the numerators.

8 + 3 = 11

That gives us an answer of

11
12

Step 3

Can this fraction be reduced?

First, we attempt to divide it by 2...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 3...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 5...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 7...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 11...

Nope. Try the next prime number, 13...

No good. 13 is larger than 11. So we're done reducing.

Congratulations! Here's your final answer to 4/6 + 3/12

4
6
+
3
12
=
11
12
© 2014 Randy Tayler